European Medical Commission fully committed to education and fight against doping

The members of the European Medical Commission (EMC) chaired by Prof. Dr. Manfred Holzgraefe

Luxembourg, February 1, 2014 - The European Medical Commission (EMC) chaired by Prof. Dr. Manfred Holzgraefe rounded out a busy schedule this month for the CEV organs with their annual meeting also taking place in Luxembourg City on Saturday.

Prof. Dr. Holzgraefe briefed his colleagues on the latest news from the FIVB Medical Commission meeting he just attended in Lausanne where he was joined by another two EMC members, Dr. Sergio Avila España (ESP) and Dr. Sergio Cameli (ITA).

The EMC President also summed up the most important decisions taken by the CEV Board of Administration lately and continued with a review of the FIVB Anti-Doping Programme “Real Winner – We play it clean” that was extended this year to the players and coaching staff of all teams participating in the European Cups as well as in the third round of the World Championship qualification process.

Prof. Dr. Holzgraefe also reviewed the updated lists of prohibited substances and methods as well as of the therapeutic use exemptions (TUE) released by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for the year 2014.
The members of the Commission then reported on their respective activities from the last year and more specifically on the CEV tournaments they attended and where anti-doping controls were performed.

The year 2014 also marks the extension of the health certificate (M-7 form) to all officials attending CEV competitions, thereby following up on the standards already set by the FIVB.

The European Medical Commission is closely cooperating with the European Refereeing Commission (ERC) to check the health of all international referees and make sure that all those who are appointed to officiate are in a good general condition. “This is one of the main tasks we have been given by the CEV Board and together with our friends and colleagues of the Refereeing Commission we have moved things forward and helped improve on the general condition of our referees” Mr. Holzgraefe explains.

The EMC and ERC have worked together on identifying some tools to test the physical and psychological abilities of the referees, something that the Commissions would like to introduce already this year.
The Commission also continues its fight against doping. “We have to remain vigilant and continue to inform the players, as well as their coaches and medical staff about the latest updates of the WADA regulations” says the EMC President. “Volleyball is a clean and fair sport, so we are all very committed to preserve that image. All these actions shall help us stay drug-free and reinforce the positive message that people already associate to our sport” Prof. Dr. Holzgraefe concludes.